The Washington Commanders surprised many around the league by winning double-digit games for the first time since 2012 and coming one victory away from reaching the Super Bowl. Now, there are higher expectations for the squad in the second year of the Jayden Daniels era.

The Commanders will have a tougher schedule this year by virtue of finishing second in the NFC East. Super Bowl contenders like the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions loom later in the year along with talented teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers. They will also experience a dramatic increase in travel miles, which includes a trip to Europe to play the Miami Dolphins.

Now that the season is on the horizon, Commanders.com is going to break down each of Washington's opponents. We'll move on to the Denver Broncos and Bo Nix, their first-round pick who was an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.

GAME INFORMATION

Date: Nov. 30
Time: 8:20 p.m.
Location: Northwest Stadium

Individual stats leaders

• Passing Yards -- QB Bo Nix (3,775)
• Passing TDs -- QB Bo Nix (29)
• Rushing Yards -- RB Javontae Williams (513)
• Rushing TDs -- RB Javontae Williams and QB Bo Nix (4)
• Receiving Yards -- WR Courtland Sutton (1,081)
• Receiving TDs -- WR Courtland Sutton (8)
• Tackles -- S Brandon Jones (115)
• Sacks -- LB Nik Bonitto (13.5)
• Interceptions -- CB Pat Surtain II (4)

Key additions

• DE Dre Greenlaw (free agency)
• S Talanoa Hufanga (free agency)
• TE Evan Engram (free agency)
• CB Jahdae Barron (draft)
• RB RJ Harvey (draft)

Key questions

• Can Bo Nix avoid a sophomore slump? Like Daniels with the Commanders, Nix ignited the Broncos' offense. He had the most passing yards for a Denver quarterback since Case Keenum in 2018, and had it not been for Daniels' becoming the talk of the league, he would have had a good shot at being the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Nix outperformed several expectations for him with his arm strength and decision-making, but also like Daniels, he will need to prove that he can replicate that success while also elevating the offense around him. While Daniels and the Commanders had a top 10 unit in nearly every category, the Broncos were around the middle of the league, despite Nix having impressive moments.
• Can the defense have an encore performance? Much of the Broncos' success in 2024 stemmed from their defense, which was particularly stingy against the run and allowed the third-fewest points per game. They also excelled in creating turnovers, as their 25 takeaways were tied for sixth most in the league. Though the yards allowed per game don't show it, they were also effective against the pass with Surtain batting away balls and Bonitto harassing quarterbacks. It won't be easy to replicate that success, particularly in a conference that is full of top-tier quarterbacks, but they have the personnel to do it. The group is mostly the same aside from the departure of Cody Barton, and they have added players like Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga. It's rare for defenses to have good performances year-over-year, but the Broncos might be one of the few exceptions to that trend.
• Will RJ Harvey be enough to get the run game going? The run was one of the obvious areas that needed to improve in 2025. The Broncos had a committee approach to things with Williams leading the way and Nix adding 430 yards, but Williams is with the Cowboys now, and there needs to be a new leader in the Broncos' backfield. It seems like Harvey, who had 22 rushing touchdowns in 2024, and veteran J.K. Dobbins will have a one-two punch. Harvey was exceptional during his final two seasons at UCF with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Dobbins, who has struggled to be on the field for most of his career, was at his best last season with 905 yards and nine touchdowns while playing for the Chargers. Their tandem, plus a few scrambles from Nix, might be enough to boost Denver's ground game, which hasn't fielded a top 10 rushing unit since 2011.